Hisao and the Chocolate Factory Ch 3: A chocolate trip

	Lilly and Hanako descended the steps at a measured pace. Hanako’s eyes whipped around the room, trying to figure out a place to go. Emi had picked up what seemed to be a small pumpkin and was inspecting it, while Rin was chewing at what seemed to be a branch made of licorice hanging off a tree

	“You’re excited, aren’t you?” Lilly said, more a statement than a question. “I can feel your body turning about. You go on ahead Hanako, I’ll be fine.”

	Hanako looked to her, then back at the candy forest, unsure of herself. Lilly released her arm though and continued onto the path, tapping her candy cane as she went. Hanako turned and looked around the room again. Rin was pulling at the licorice with her teeth, and Emi was twirling the pumpkin in her hands. She then saw Misha and Shizune. Misha looked to be devouring a bush full of small candies while Misha was glowering at her friend, signing to her even though she wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention.

	“It’s magnificent, isn’t it?” said a voice from behind her. She jumped and spun to see Hisao standing on the path between Lilly and herself, though he looked to neither of the girls.

	“Hold your breath.” Hisao said, whispering the words to himself. Lilly breathed in deeply, her cheeks puffing out. Hisao then looked at her, tilting his head.

	“Make a wish?” He said it with an air of someone surprised that anyone was listening to him. Lilly nodded her head after a moment

	“Count to three.”  He continued, tapping his cane on the floor. Lilly held up one finger, then two, then a third before finally breathing out.

	He then walked over to her, taking her arm and leading her off of the pathway and away from Hanako, who was left mentally kicking herself.

	And then, something extremely strange happened. Hisao began to sing.

‘Come with me
and you’ll be
in a world of pure imagination.
Take a-’

	And then he suddenly cut off, looking for a moment extremely out of place as he nearly slapped his hand over his mouth.

	After a moment, he started back up suddenly, looking all at ease again.

‘Though you're blind
You won't mind
Being in a world of pure imagination.
You don't need
Sight to see
And to enjoy this wonderful creation.’

	He reached up and picked a yellow gummy bear off of a tree, and then gave it to Lilly, who bowed her head to him before beginning to nibble on the gummy bear’s ear.

	Hisao hurriedly stepped onto and over the path, over to Rin who had won her battle against the tree and was now chewing the long branch of licorice.

‘If you want to seize paradise
Simply reach down and seize it.’

	He bent down and picked up the ruby tendril and wrapped in around Rin’s neck, hanging it loose like a scarf.

‘Want to change the world?
There’s nothing
To it.”

	Hisao lifted the end of the branch and booped Rin’s nose with it. He then danced off as Rin sneezed behind him, her arms flying out to her sides flailing violently.

	He approached behind Emi, who had bent down on the ground and begun mashing the pumpkin against what seemed to be a jawbreaker turned stepping stone that led to a garden of yellow… flowers?

‘There is no
Life worth chasing
More than a life of pure imagination’

	He tapped her on the shoulder with the cane and then thrust it into the pumpkin, piercing the outer shell. Cream began leaking out of the pumpkin’s innards, which Emi caught in her hands and spooned it into her mouth.

‘Catch it there
Free of fare
You’ll be happy as can be.’

	He pat her on the head and she smiled up at him with such an affection… Hanako felt jealous again. She felt almost bitter as she watched him happily dance around with the others.

	He then skipped over to Shizune and Misha, who’d taken up a place near the edge of the river. Misha’s face had a bit of white cream on it, and she was holding some out for Shizune to lick off of her finger. Shizune stared at her with her arms crossed.

‘Can you hear the call of paradise?
It calls out for you
To it.’

	He tapped Shizune on the shoulder, which caused her to jump right into Misha’s finger in shock. Misha let out a loud laugh as Shizune furiously whipped at the cream on her face and then signing quickly at her friend, who currently had her eyes shut as she laughed so hard every bit of her shook.

‘Anything you want to
do it.
Want to change your world?
There’s nothing.
To it.’

	He slid his cane behind Misha and gently pushed her forwards towards Shizune. Misha, still laughing, reached out and hugged her. Shizune’s face turned as scarlet as her dress as Hisao moved away from them.

	He then came over to Hanako, picking a flower along the way. He took a bite of one of the petals before holding it out to her, glittering delicately in the light.

‘No one’s life,
Can suffice,
When compared with,
Pure imagination.
Living here,
You’ll be free,
If you’d only,
Choose to be.’

	Hanako wanted nothing more at that moment than to choose to be. She wanted to stay here, to stay with Hisao and his family and do… whatever a candy maker did. Which, if this tour was anything to go by, seemed to be mostly creative decorating.
Hisao reached out and patted her shoulder before spinning and walking towards a spot on the river’s edge. He scooped a handful of small rounded candies out of a fountain as he did so.

	“Hanako?” called Lilly’s voice from somewhere off in the distance. She watched Hisao go with a bit of regret. She wished she could talk to him easier. She had such a problem with people and it bothered her so much that she couldn’t talk to him. “Hanako?”

	Sighing, Hanako turned and walked over to where she’d heard Lilly’s voice.

	As she approached where she’d heard Lilly call, Hanako could make out a pair of voices on the other of a hedge made of what looked like the same thing they made candy corn out of. She rounded it to find Rin and Lilly standing together.

	“I mean, it’s weird though, isn’t it? Candy doesn’t grow, right?” Rin asked her. She had apparently shrugged out of her licorice scarf, and didn’t seem to be eating anything.

	Lilly looked impatient. She had bits of yellow on her face and was still holding the large gummy bear in one hand, which Hanako could see now was apparently filled with juice. “I wouldn’t think so, but I’m no expert on candy and neither are you. If the man owning the factory were to claim this was how it all came about, I’d be tempted to believe him.” She chastised.

	“I dunno…” Rin said, looking unsure. “It’s just… This whole thing feels weird. The colors don’t match, the settings are off. It’s like something we’d see in our art classes.”

	Lilly scoffed, apparently pushed at the girl’s usage of her disability.

	“Tezuka, you have a fair reputation of being just plain silly in your oddities. I really believe that you must be seeking some sort of attention from these acts. Now, I’d prefer to just enjoy the tour, and I suggest you do as well. Where is Hanako anyways… Hanako?”

	“I-I’m here Lilly.” Hanako said, stepping forwards.

	“Thank goodness. Will you please accompany me? I’d prefer to spend my time in better company.” She said sarcastically towards Rin. Rin bit her lip, although she looked more uncomfortable than upset at Lilly. Lilly offered Hanako the arm with which she held her gummy bear. Hanako took it and Lilly lead them away.

	They hadn’t gone long before Lilly sighed. “Sorry about that… Tezuka seems to insist that there’s something odd about this factory.”
Hanako said nothing, which was her own way of replying.

	“I can understand… I mean this isn’t what I had in mind either, but she always seems to take things too far. There’s something to be said about enjoying yourself whilst you can, yes?” She asked.

	“Y-yes… I think so…” Hanako said. Was Rin acting malicious towards Hisao? She didn’t seem the type who’d say something behind someone’s back… but if you had concerns, Hanako could see how you would go to someone like Lilly with them.

	“Oh my, I’m sorry Hanako. Here, would you like some of this bear? It’s lemon flavored.”

	“Yea, you’ve got a bit of yellow on your face.” Said a voice so loud and sudden that Hanako jumped, releasing Lilly. Hanako looked down to see Emi stretched out on the ground. She, too, had candy on her face. A mix of white and red creams.

	“Hello, Ibarazaki.” Lilly said. She bowed her head towards the small girl before whipping at her face with the back of her hand. “Yes, it was a lot juicer than I had prepared for. Are you enjoying yourself?”

	“Ohhhh man, like you wouldn’t believe.” She said, stretching out on the ground.

	“Well at least some of us are.” Lilly said. Emi quirked her eye brow, but said nothing. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe I hear what sounds like a stream coming through here…” Lilly continued.

	“Yea,” Emi said pointing, “just a little bit to your… right. There’s a river made of chocolate.”

	“Excuse me? Chocolate?” Lilly said. “My my, you must be joking.”

	“I mean maybe it’s not, but it sure looks like chocolate.” Emi said. She got up, rubbing her face with her hands. “Come on, let’s check it out.”

	The trio walked over to the riverbank. The river flowed smoothly, and Hanako could see several pipes pulling chocolate from the river off to who knew where. It seemed to be all originating from a chocolate waterfall. Hanako looked up the stream towards the waterfall to see Mikasa, back to her brown hair, pouring a bag of sugar into the falls. If Hanako had to guess, the waterfall was being used to mix the chocolate.

	“Does it seem to be real chocolate to you?” Lilly asked.

	“Only one way to find out!” Emi said, dropping to her knees. She was about to reach into the river when Lilly interrupted her by putting the cane ahead of her.

	“Use this.” She said. “Your hands might contaminate it all.”

	Emi considered for a moment before rising back up. “Makes sense.” She said. She dipped the edge of the candy cane into the river, and then held the tip out to Lilly. “Go ahead, give it a lick.”

	Lilly obliged. “Mhmmmm, peppermint chocolate…” she said, sighing. “It makes me look forward to winter, and spring’s just begun.”

	“I’m glad you like it.” Hisao said. “We’ll be producing a special line of Christmas candies this year. The elves are already at work on it.”

	A loud *CRACK* from the other edge of the river showed a door that had been built into the cliff face. Rai exited it along with Ichi, both holding bags of sugar. Rai waved at the group. “Enjoying the tour?” She called across the gap.

	“Yes, very much so.”

	“Heck yea! It’s awesome!”

	“Y-yes…”

	All three girls spoke at once. Rai giggled into her hand, looking happy as can be to be working here.

	“It’s alright.” Rin said, approaching the group. Lilly shot a daggered look in her direction, but Rin had only eyes for Hisao. Suspicious eyes. Hanako was so concentrated on her look that when Rai called out, “Hey! You can’t be doing that, the chocolate’s not supposed to be touched!” it took Hanako a moment for her to realize that she wasn’t talking to them.

	A bit up the river, on their side of the shore, Misha was on her knees spooning chocolate straight from the river and into her mouth. Shizune stood right beside her signing and stamping her feet, but like many instances today, Misha just wasn’t paying her any attention.

	“Oh no. Misha! Misha you can’t be doing that!” Hisao called. He hurried off towards her.

	“Goodness, what’s happening?” Lilly asked.

	“Misha’s trying to drink the whole river.” Emi replied.

	Lilly sighed.

	“Misha, you really shouldn’t be drinking like that!” Hisao called. Shizune saw him coming, and stamped her feet more, but Misha didn’t pay either of them heed, spooning more and more chocolate into her mouth. Shizune was flush with anger at being ignored and reached out and grabbed Misha by the shoulder, just as Misha was reaching out for more. Hanako watched, as did everyone else, as Shizune slipped forwards and lost her footing. As she fell, her other hand grabbed Misha by the hair, who’d only just now looked up from her feast. Shizune pulled Misha with her and, together, they fell into the river. Hanako and Emi both gave a shout of panic and started working their way over towards Hisao, who stood with his hands on his hips.

	“What’s happened?” Lilly said, following alongside Hanako.

	“Misha and Shizune just fell in. Shizune slipped and it looked like she pulled Misha with her.” Her shyness was temporarily forgotten as they hurried over.

	“Well where are they? I don’t hear any splashing…” Lilly said.

	“I’d imagine not. Our chocolate is as light as air, there’s no way they could swim in it.” Hisao said as they approached.

	“Boss! The bubbles!” Rai said, pointing. Hanako could just make out a trail of bubbles that seemed to be heading directly to one of the pipes.

	“Oh, thank god.” Hanako said. She’d been afraid they’d drown.

	“Is that pipe big enough?” Rin asked. “Won’t they get stuck?”

	“We transport gallon upon gallon of chocolate through these pipes. They can handle a teenage girl.” Hisao said. He sat back against another jawbreaker rock. “Nothing we can do now but wait.” He said. He then looked down at a pocket watch, flipping it open.

	There was a flash of stripped fabric against the innards of the pipe, pressing against the pipe’s walls. “I can see her! I think that’s Misha!” Emi said. Slowly, it began to rise.

	“No, that’s Shizune.” Rin said. The fabric spun, and there was more of it. A deep red of Shizune’s dress.

	“I-it’s both of them…” Hanako realized.

	“Oh man… I said A teenage girl.” Hisao said. “Not both at once!” He stepped up to his feet. Slowly, the girls rose into the air. “They’re slowing down. They won’t fit together. This could break the piping system!” Hisao said. Sure enough, the girls slowed, until they finally came to a halt. The chocolate stream trickled off, and the group could see the heads of both of the girls. Misha’s head was raised slightly above Shizune’s, who looked to be almost sandwiched against Misha’s chest.

	“Help!” Misha called from inside the pipe. Her hands were above her head, banging against the side of the pipe’s innards. “H-help!”

	“She shouldn’t have been drinking from the river like that.” Lilly said, shaking her head.

	“Shizune looks like she’s gonna suffocate against her…” Emi said.

	“Uunnhh. P-please~” Misha called. Shizune had a hand pinned to her side, but with her other she was pushing against Misha’s breast to try and get air. The two girls were both covered in chocolate, the shiny brown very visible against their blue and pink hair.

	Misha threw her head back as Shizune groped her, moaning. “G-get me out of… out of… Unnnng!”

	“What are you going to do? Just stand there?” Emi said.

	“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.” Hisao said. “Actually, no… Ichi? Send the boat around, would you? The pressure looks to be sparking. We’ll follow them as long as we can.” Hisao called.

	The boy, Ichi, saluted and then went back through one of the hidden doors in the rocks.

	“It really is their own fault.” Lilly said.

	“What’s going to happen to them?” Rin asked.

	“Well… That pipe leads to two rooms. It separates there, you see?” He asked, pointing with his cane as Misha moaned again, thumping the walls. “And those two pipes lead to two different rooms. The Fudge Foundry as well as Marshmallow Marsh. They actually go through that tunnel over there.” He said, directing them. “So the two ladies will be able to go along with us until we reach our next segment.” Hisao said happily. “Hear that Misha? You’re still on the tour! Sign that to Shizune for me!”

	“HELP US!” She screamed.

	“So, are all of the rest of you enjoying yourselves?” Hisao asked. Nobody answered. More thumping on the plastic walls of the pipe. “Hmmm, I know what will take your mind off of things. How about some music?” Hisao asked. Again, the only answer to him was more thumping and another plea for assistance. “Rai, Mikasa? How about trying to liven things up?” Hisao called across to them.

	Quickly, the two girls dropped what they were doing. Hanako kept looking over to Misha and Shizune. Her moans were a little distracting.

	Rai and Mikasa broke the huddle and then came towards the river’s edge. “We want a raise!” Rai called.

	“A what!?” Hisao called back, in shock. “A raise!??”

	“Yea! That improve class didn’t prepare us for two people! One at a time!”

	“Hey, it’s not like I plan things like this!” Hisao called back.

	“Is anyone else even hearing this???” Rin asked.

	“HELP!” Misha screamed.

	“Alright alright alright, fine. What kind of raise?”

	Rai looked back to her sister, and then back again. “We’ll think about it! We gotta go, meet you in the tunnel!” Rai called. A loud *POP* was heard throughout the room and everyone looked at the pipe.

	“Oh, better hurry!” Rai called. Her and her sister sprinted away, slamming the door.

	“What does one at a time mean??” Rin asked.

	“Oh look, the boat’s coming.” Hisao said. “And not a moment too soon, from the looks of things.”

	The pipe let off another loud *POP* and was starting to leak as the pressure built higher and higher. Misha and Shizune jerked in the pipes. More frantically, Misha pounded on the walls. “HELP! PLEASE HELP!”

	“Alright everyone, on you go.” Hisao said, standing aside as the boat came to a standstill. Hanako got on first, followed by Lilly, and then Rin and Emi took up spots in the back row. Hisao hopped aboard the front, and the boat seemed to guide itself back into the river, where the current took it. “And away we go!” Hisao called.

	With a *CRACK* like a gunshot, Misha and Shizune took off full speed up the pipe. Shooting into the air, both of the girls were now screaming. Hisao had been right, they separated into two individual pipelines, and then were sent through the crisscrossing web of tubes until they finally came in line with the boat and, together, the group entered into the tunnel.